Los Angeles Dec. 23, 2025 Vince Zampella, the innovative video game developer and co-creator of Call of Duty, has died in a car accident on Southern California’s winding Angeles Crest Highway as confirmed by authorities and his employer.According to Glendale officers, Zampella was driving alone in his McLaren F1 and lost control of the vehicle early Monday morning.The car went over the side, rolling several times before coming to rest hundreds of feet down a rocky slope.Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene. Zampella was 55.
Zampella, the head of Respawn Entertainment, was killed on Sunday afternoon when the high-performance 2026 Ferrari 296 GTS he was driving careened off the twisting roadway north of Los Angeles, hit a concrete barrier and caught fire, according to reports from the California Highway Patrol and multiple news organizations.
The crash took place around 12:45 p.m., and also killed a passenger, who was ejected from the vehicle and died at an area hospital shortly afterward, law enforcement sources told media outlets. It is not clear from the investigation why the Ferrari lost control.
The loss of Vince Zampella is a sad one for the worldwide gaming community. He is best known as a co-founder of Infinity Ward, the studio that created the enormously popular Call of Duty series, which has made him millions of dollars in hundreds of millions in sales since its release in 2003.
Vince Zampella left Infinity Ward to form Respawn Entertainment in 2010, which would be acquired by Electronic Arts (EA). During his tenure, Respawn released several critically acclaimed titles such as Titanfall, Titanfall 2, Apex Legends and STAR WARS™ Jedi: Fallen Order.
Zampella's recent career has included oversight of the Battlefield series at EA, which influenced the making of the recently released Battlefield 6, confirming his sway over several major gaming franchises.
Legacy and Reaction
EA issued a statement mourning the loss of Zampella and commending his influence on the video game world. The company described him as a “friend, colleague, leader and visionary creator” whose work had reached millions of people.
“profound and far-reaching impact” on modern interactive entertainment.
Peers and fans have expressed disbelief and sadness at the news of the video game developer’s death, highlighting his work as a driving force behind some of gaming’s most enduring franchises. For more than two decades Zampella’s career had helped shape the way blockbuster games are made as well as how communities of players gather around a shared experience.
FAQ: Vince Zampella Death and Legacy
Who was Vince Zampella?
Vince Zampella was a leading figure in the global video game industry and one of the most influential developers of modern first-person shooter games. He was best known as an Infinity Ward co-founder, the studio behind the original Call of Duty franchise, and later served as the head of Respawn Entertainment, an Electronic Arts studio.
Was Vince Zampella the creator of Call of Duty?
Zampella was a co-creator of Call of Duty. Alongside other developers at Infinity Ward, he helped launch the franchise in 2003, which went on to become one of the highest-grossing entertainment properties in history.
Did Vince Zampella really die in a car crash?
Yes. Vince Zampella died following a single-vehicle accident in Southern California. His death has been confirmed by the BBC and other major news organizations.
How did Vince Zampella die?
According to authorities, Zampella was driving a 2026 Ferrari 296 GTS when the vehicle left the roadway on Angeles Crest Highway in the San Gabriel Mountains north of Los Angeles. The car struck a concrete barrier and caught fire. Zampella died at the scene, and a passenger later died at a hospital.
Where did the crash occur?
The fatal accident occurred on Angeles Crest Highway, a mountainous road in Los Angeles County overlooking the San Gabriel Valley. The crash was reported shortly after the vehicle exited a tunnel on the southbound side of the highway.
